Thanksgiving is just around the corner. It's a good time to try the exercise below–in a board meeting, small group, staff retreat, Sunday school class, ministry team, or other small group setting.

This activity takes its cue from the words of thanksgiving in Paul's prayer for the Philippian Christians. Paul began by thanking God for his fellow believers, thus deepening his connection with them in the most foundational way. When believers today follow his example, expressing thanks for one another, the bond among them also grows stronger.

Exercise

1. Read Philippians 1:3-8 aloud.

2. Explain to group members that you'll use the next 30 to 45 minutes simply expressing thanks for each member. When we affirm fellow Christians, we honor God, who has placed these people in our lives.

3. Start with one group member and say something like: "Let's take a few minutes to thank God for Jeff. What do you see in Jeff's life that prompts you to thank God for Jeff? What brings ...